nelsonmandelaisin the hospital right now. the former president is undergoing medical tests. that's according to the government. these tests have been planned for some time, we're told. they are consistent with his age. he is 94 years old. a family friend not saying how long mandela will be hospital iced, but a government spokesman insists there's, quote, no cause for alarm. mandela spent some time in the hospital earlier this year. he had stomach surgery. he became a bona fide world icon after spending some 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid. in 1994, he became president of the country where he had been imprisoned. >>> to the fiscal cliff now. the clock continues to tick away. lawmakers now have just 24 days left to make a deal and avoid that combination of big tax hikes and drastic spending cuts that could hit the economy hard. today we are hearing more from both the president and from republicans. with me now, nbc news white house correspondent mike viqueira. viq, does there appear to be any progress? >> reporter: i don't think so, craig, and we're watching it pr